Westjet launches YYC-CDG, YYC-DUB, upgauges YYC-LGW
#16
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).
#17
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,437
I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).
#18
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: No single airline or hotel chain is of much use to me anymore.
Posts: 3,275
I thought they might be a little more aggressive with the business class fares since they ultimately need to shake loose loyal Air Canada premium travelers.
I will never understand the fixation with LHR, there is no force in the universe that would make me by my own free will step foot in there.
I will never understand the fixation with LHR, there is no force in the universe that would make me by my own free will step foot in there.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: WS Nothing, AC Something, AS Gold. Too big for 737Max washrooms
Posts: 893
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
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I'm surprised that LGW will be one of the first routes, especially out of YYC. I assumed the 763s would be used on more "leisure-oriented" flights without J, and the 789s would be used for more "business oriented" flights. YYC-LHR will have both AC and BA next summer, both of which offer big J cabins, strong alliances, lounges, etc (ie. likely more appealing options to business pax).
They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense. Not to mention feed in Paris from AF, and London being a focus city already. I'd expect Amsterdam to be on the radar.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,437
WestJet this week (around Tuesday 09OCT18) filed planned Boeing 787-9 international service, scheduled to enter long-haul routes from late-April 2019. The configuration of the 787-9 is J16W28Y260, based on seat map graphics in the GDS. The arrival of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner also sees the airline launching new nonstop European flights from Calgary.
#23
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,883
What's most interesting about this announcement is it's not really aggressive at all. WS will still not exceed AC's widebody international traffic at AC's fourth largest hub (YYC) as they are running daily FRA, LHR on 789s or 77L (which run year round) and NRT on 763s up to daily in summer. These routes are still all seasonal (note also AC runs CDG and DUB from YVR seasonally). Presumably LGW goes back to 2x a week or some lesser capacity in winter (WS 1). Where will these birds go in W19?
#24
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50K (*G), Westjet Gold
Posts: 788
Who do you think WestJet's core market is?
They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense. Not to mention feed in Paris from AF, and London being a focus city already. I'd expect Amsterdam to be on the radar.
They need leisure destinations that have some business traffic. These Dreamliners are not going to Punta Cana. Dublin, Paris, and London make huge perfect sense. Not to mention feed in Paris from AF, and London being a focus city already. I'd expect Amsterdam to be on the radar.
#25
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
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Posts: 3,987
I think Westjet's core market is leisure pax - with a few business pax thrown in. Flying to Paris, for example, completely makes sense to me - popular tourist spot, no direct competition, business market, etc. Meanwhile with London, they're going to have to compete with AC and BA to lure those business pax, and I see that as a big challenge, especially if J fares match those carriers.
#26
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
I think Westjet's core market is leisure pax - with a few business pax thrown in. Flying to Paris, for example, completely makes sense to me - popular tourist spot, no direct competition, business market, etc. Meanwhile with London, they're going to have to compete with AC and BA to lure those business pax, and I see that as a big challenge, especially if J fares match those carriers.
#27
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Calgary
Programs: Aeroplan (Silver), Air Miles, IHG Rewards (Platinum)
Posts: 664
What's most interesting about this announcement is it's not really aggressive at all. WS will still not exceed AC's widebody international traffic at AC's fourth largest hub (YYC) as they are running daily FRA, LHR on 789s or 77L (which run year round) and NRT on 763s up to daily in summer. These routes are still all seasonal (note also AC runs CDG and DUB from YVR seasonally). Presumably LGW goes back to 2x a week or some lesser capacity in winter (WS 1). Where will these birds go in W19?
I am trying to figure out where the 3 B789's will go from YYC in the winter... can you imagine when there are 10 of them?
My guess is 5x weekly LGW, 2x weekly CDG, 1x weekly DUB, and then a whole bunch of YYC-Hawaii-YVR-Hawaii-YYC rotations. 'cause, yeah, where else do you fly 320-seater aircraft from YYC to in the winter?
#28
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,883
We think alike. My thoughts exactly.
I am trying to figure out where the 3 B789's will go from YYC in the winter... can you imagine when there are 10 of them?
My guess is 5x weekly LGW, 2x weekly CDG, 1x weekly DUB, and then a whole bunch of YYC-Hawaii-YVR-Hawaii-YYC rotations. 'cause, yeah, where else do you fly 320-seater aircraft from YYC to in the winter?
I am trying to figure out where the 3 B789's will go from YYC in the winter... can you imagine when there are 10 of them?
My guess is 5x weekly LGW, 2x weekly CDG, 1x weekly DUB, and then a whole bunch of YYC-Hawaii-YVR-Hawaii-YYC rotations. 'cause, yeah, where else do you fly 320-seater aircraft from YYC to in the winter?
I could see WS 1 remaining daily (LGW) though throughout winter. If they did run them to Hawaii though - sweet, sign me up.
#29
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#30
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